The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-04-15
CHAPTER Ia woMAN's WAY.

CHAPTER IA wOMAN's WAY.
Edith Markham could not remem-
Der either her father or mother. Her
mother was dead and her father was
married again and lived abroad.
That was All the information vouch-
safed her.
Among Mr.. BurtonEord' s papers was
one which was addressed to Edith,
in the bankers handwriting, with this
instruction: 'To be given to her at
my death, but if that should happen
before she is 21 she must keep this
without opening it until that time.
1t is about her mother and father,
and she need be In no hurry to learn
the particulars"
She was 10 when her uncle died, and
the executors-John Pawson and
and Bardsley, the solicitor-gave the
papers to her, according to the in
structions which the dead had left.
"There is a good deal Of writing
there" said John. Would you like
to keep it, or shall | take ARE of it
for you until you are PIP"
Edith thanked him, but kept it her
self. The strange misfortune which
had happened to Eric, and the death
of her aunt, then the death of her
uncle, had crushed her spirit.
She could not help wondering whether
her mother had been also unhappy.
But she placed the paper in her desk
and gave herself over to sad Thoughts.
When would the mystery concerning
Eric be cleared up? Cleared up it must
be, she felt sure. Then she read q
note from him which he had sent to
her at the time OF the trouble:
My dear Edith: There is a terrible mis-.
take somewhere, but my uncle is sure
to discover it, and he will be very sorry.
l might have turned out my pockets to
paciiy him, but i had all your sweet little
letters with me, and he would have recog,
nized the writing. That would have made
him very angry. l shall go to Londoa, to
Radburn's, and try what l can dc atpaint,
ing. Ny sister Rose will hearfrom me con-
stantly. Ever your own. ERIC.
Radbu1l was an artist. He had oft
en- spoken encouraging words to Eric
and tried to prevail on him to give
himself up TO art.
The years passed away and Edith
did not see Eric. Thediscovery which
was to clear him had not been
made. Still, Edithdid not doubt him.
From Rose she heard about his well
fare, and that was all. She set her
self to wonder and to wait. If Eric
had presented himself she would have
risked the loss of fortune, but he kept
silent and aloof; so she could only
shut up her sorrow in her heart and
pray for patience to endure it. She
kept in the old house and had for q
companion the widow OF a clergyman,
whom John Pawson recommended
But Edith spent her 21st birthday
in Scotland, and it was Immediately
afterward that she wrote the letter
asking for an interview with Eric.
During these three years Eric had
worked hard in London, and his
friends spoke favorably Of his
chances in the keen competition of
art. He told Radburn about his
quarrel with his uncle and the cause
of it, and enjoyed the sympathy of a
true friend. But this Eric was not
the Eric OF yore. He had a sad look,
and went about the work of life as If
his heart was broken. His uncle's
cruel will was a sad blow to him, and
he resolved that unless his name was
cleared he would not see Edith again.
He v forgot her birthday. His
sister Rose had written to say that
she was away, and he was wondering
where in Scotland she was visiting,
and what kind of a birthday she had
spent, when John Pawson's letter
came. 1t was like the sight OF the
journeys end to a weary pilgrim.
Eric did not realize before how much
he had been suffering, and for the
first time since his sorrow he wept
bitterly.
X
The interview was to take place in
John P~awson's private room at the
bank. Eric was there long before the
time appointed, and the two men
ehatted about various subjects until
Edith came. 1t was q strange meet
ing for these two, who had not seen
each other for three years. John Paw
son could not help watching them,
apd he saw the lighs Of love in their
eyes and knew whaS theend would be,
whether the proofs were satisfactory
or not.
Now for business, said John, plac-
ing a chair for Edith by the side Of his
table and seating himself. Erie sat
near to her and gazed wistfully into
her face.